By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — The floor mats have been rolled out, and now Triad Wrestling Club and Ruston High’s newest varsity sport have a new home: historic Bobby James Memorial Gym.
On Wednesday afternoon, over a dozen wrestlers gathered in the evening for some “open mat style” practice, which came with some instruction, as well, from the four coaches in attendance for nearly 90 minutes.
“Right now, we’re doing Wednesday and Sundays,” Triad Wrestling Club Coach Jeremy Hebert said of the practice schedule. “And then once school gets going, it will probably go down to just Sundays, unless we can find fit in the week for more mat time. But when the actual Ruston High wrestling season gets going in October, we will be here five days a week.”
Hebert is joined by coaches Trey Halder, Casey Jackson and Hebert’s wife Linzie, who recently became certified in order to help training the girls. Four coaches, including Linzie decked in her scrubs from her medical practice, were training with the wrestlers on 60- to 90-second rotations through drills (Coach Joey Lopez was not in attendance at this practice).
Triad also just recently celebrated the inaugural practice inside the building: Sunday, July 13, 2025. Prior, Triad had been practicing in the gym at Ruston High School.
But we all know there’s something special about having your own place to call home.
“Everyone is so excited,” Hebert said. “This just gives us a great experience, and we have an opportunity to be in here almost full time if we want to.”
Triad is coming off of a very successful season after sending 11 wrestlers to the Louisiana State Championships, which saw Hebert’s son, Owen, bring home the gold in the 14U state championship. Founded in January of 2024, the Triad Wrestling Club started at Triad Martial Arts owned by Josh and Makayla Lee.
Hebert intends to have more interest meetings and getting the Ruston High wrestling team solidified before the first official practice on Oct. 1. And having a home in Bobby James Memorial puts the team right on campus, where Hebert is hoping to attract kids that aren’t currently participating in a winter sport.
And while it’s been happening pretty quickly, but Hebert is pleased with the buzz wrestling is gaining in North Louisiana.
“There’s a lot of people out there that are excited about this,” Hebert said. “I also think there’s a nervousness if people are unsure about it, so once we’re able to have that first tournament or first duel — or even our first organized practice — then we’ll probably have more interest coming in.
“And I have to add this: both Ruston High and (the Lincoln Parish School Board) have been absolutely supportive in this. They’ve opened these doors to us and it’s been a bless. And, of course, our parents have been a huge help.”
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